The film "Hillbilly Elegy" was filmed in the USA.

Filming Locations:

Yale University - Sterling Memorial Library

In the Movie

Scene where J.D. heads to his girlfriend at the Yale University library.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Sterling Memorial Library (SML), the main library building of the Yale University library system. Opened in 1931, the library was designed by James Gamble Rogers as a central campus building in the Gothic Revival style. The library tower has sixteen levels of book stacks containing over 4 million volumes. The library is named after John W. Sterling, a lawyer who represented Standard Oil, whose huge bequest to Yale required the construction of a "permanent, useful, and architecturally beautiful building." There is a one-hour tour of Sterling Memorial Library: https://web.library.yale.edu/people/personal-librarian/library-tours.

Yale University - Sterling Law Building

In the Movie

Scene where J.D. heads to his girlfriend at the Yale University library.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at The Sterling Law Building houses Yale Law School. It was built in 1931, designed by James Gamble Rogers. The building is named after Yale alumnus and benefactor John William Sterling, a prominent partner of the New York law firm Shearman & Sterling.

Harrison Avenue

In the Movie

Scene where Young J.D. witnesses his mother having a breakdown in the middle of the street. Mamaw comforts him.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the northern part of Cincinnati in a suburb. On a street with private houses.

Poplar Street Tunnel

In the Movie

Scene where Young mom and dad arrive in a new town to start a new life.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a road tunnel in Macon, Georgia. It is now covered in graffiti. The Midletown sign was placed on it specifically for the film.

Vineville Avenue

In the Movie

Scene where Bev decides to give J.D. a gift and takes him to a store to buy a couple of sports cards, but they are thrown away. In the parking lot, it turns out Bev simply stole a few cards for J.D.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a small shop on the outskirts of Macon, Georgia. Currently, this space houses a cafe.